FairWild certification for Kolo Nafaso

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A guarantee of responsibly sourced shea

FairWildcertification for Kolo Nafaso

FairWild is an international organization dedicated exclusively to providing a global standard for the sustainable, ethical, and traceable harvesting of wild plants. Its framework is based on seven core principles that encompass sustainable resource management, legal and ethical compliance, and responsible business practices throughout the supply chain.

Kolo Nafaso is the first ever FairWild certified shea sourcing program, meeting growing beauty industry demand for sustainable, wild-harvested plant-based ingredients that contribute to environmental and conservation goals while supporting rural livelihoods.

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About our FairWild partnership

"Certification motivates us to continue evolving to ensure lasting impact for the shea landscape and the women who depend on it – now and for generations to come." Jakob Nybroe - AAK Sustainability Manager, West Africa

By becoming the first company to adopt the FairWild standard for shea, AAK is now verifying the legal and sustainable collection of wild-harvested shea across approximately 400,000 hectares of West Africa’s shea landscapes.

As part of a year-long project, AAK and FairWild worked together to ensure the Kolo Nafaso program met the demanding requirements of the FairWild Standard, culminating in a tailored audit to provide assurance of the impact of AAK’s sourcing. The certification is validation of the principles and practices that have been at the heart of the program since its inception in 2009:

empowering women shea collectors through direct trade and economic development,

training communities to manage shea parklands sustainably,

safeguarding the landscape for the future.

About the FairWild Standard

The FairWild Standard provides a framework for the sustainable harvesting and management of wild plant resources. It ensures that both biodiversity and the livelihoods of wild plant collectors are protected by enforcing strict ecological, social, and business criteria. This includes harvesting methods that preserve biodiversity and support healthy wild plant populations, underpinned by resource assessments and scientifically informed management plans. On the social side, FairWild certification guarantees fair treatment of collectors through safe working conditions, fair compensation, and respect for traditional knowledge. Additionally, it promotes transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain, reinforcing a commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing.

What does the certification cover?

The FairWild certification applies to the Kolo Nafaso shea kernel collection operation in West Africa, which includes wild harvesting and on-site non-transformational processing (shelling, drying, boiling, packing etc).

FairWild certification for shea-based ingredients in our Personal Care portfolio is expected to be introduced early in 2026.